You couldn’t help but get chills when the Montreal Impact’s Davy Arnaud produced the Quebecers’ first ever MLS goal in front of just under 60,000 inside Montreal’s Olympic Stadium. Likely the loudest you’ll hear an MLS venue for years to come, the goal was a kind of welcome-to-MLS moment for the league’s 19th team, which earned its first ever MLS point against the Chicago Fire on the day. In front of national TV audience, a sea of blue inside the historic stadium once again raised the profile of a league that continues to expand into passionate cities.

9. AN MLS TRAGEDY

Major League Soccer fans haven’t had to deal with many deaths since the league began in 1996. So when Columbus Crew rookie Kirk Urso, 22, died suddenly at a Columbus-area bar in August, fans around the league were shaken to the core. After Toronto FC agreed to cancel a weekend match so Urso’s teammates could attend the funeral, it helped provide perspective in a sport where passion often supersedes the things that are most important.

8. THE COMPASS OPENS

Including the opening of the Houston Dynamo’s BBVA Compass Stadium last May, 14 of Major League Soccer’s 19 teams now play in soccer-only stadiums, helping to produce intimate environments around MLS that should assist in growing the game. With the San Jose Earthquakes set to break ground on a soccer-specific venue next year, only two teams – DC United and the New England Revolution – will be playing in unacceptable venues.

7. WE MEET AGAIN

A dream 2012 MLS Cup final saw the host L.A. Galaxy meet the Houston Dynamo for a second straight season in what, on paper, seemed like a clash of the titans. With Houston bringing in a re-tooled side after dropping the 2011 final, the visitors took it to the Galacticos for a 45 minutes, securing a 1-0 halftime lead before it was all said and done. But after the break, it was all Galaxy. Led by Irish International Robbie Keane, L.A. fought back from a goal down to claim its fourth MLS Cup in front of an over-capacity crowd of 30,000-plus at the Home Depot Center.

6. TOPSY-TURVY TFC

Toronto FC fans didn’t know whether to laugh or cry – or both. After beginning the season with a record nine losses, the Reds dismissed Aron Winter amid a coup in the locker room and in the stands. From Julian de Guzman’s anti-Paul Mariner gripe to the debacle involving Joao Plata, nothing seemed to go right for the Reds. As player injuries mounted, things deteriorated further, leading to TFC finishing winless in 14 MLS contests.

5. RECORD NUMBERS AT THE GATE

Major League Soccer attendance grew by more than 5% in 2012, improving the league’s average to 18,807 fans per game. With eight clubs averaging more than 19,000 fans per game in 2012, MLS now ranks seventh among the world's soccer leagues in attendance.

4.BECKHAM’S FAREWELL

David Beckham’s storybook ending came to fruition earlier this month when he exited L.A. an MLS Cup winner. After re-upping with the Tinseltown team for an additional two years, Beckham’s shock decision to leave southern California made headlines around the globe. But after six seasons in MLS, it’s safe to say Becks' arrival helped grow the league in ways no one else could. The fact the Englishman leaves MLS in far superior shape than when he arrived is a testament to the commitment he made when he exited Real Madrid in 2007.

3. ‘GOONIES NEVER SAY DIE’

A quote from the 1985 film The Goonies became synonymous with the 2012 San Jose Earthquakes. On the way to achieving a league-best 66 points, the ‘Quakes came from behind to tie or win 10 times in 34 league games. Not only that, the ‘Quakes scored 13 heart-stoppers after the 85th minute to produce some of the most exhilarating comebacks the league has ever witnessed.

2. WONDO’S WONDERFUL SEASON

After the San Jose Earthquakes dismantled Toronto FC at BMO Field early in 2012, I asked Chris Wondolowski why the floodgates are always open when he visits the Big Smoke. Having bagged a brace that day, Wondo smiled and issued this: “I don’t know, but I hope they stay open.” On the way to matching Roy Lassiter’s record for most goals (27) in a season, the league’s top poacher inspired the Bay Area with his never-say-die attitude. Although he came up short in his quest to pass Lassiter, Wondolowski’s record-tying season won’t soon be matched.

1. NOWAK BLOWS UP PHILLY

A year after taking the Philadelphia Union to its first MLS playoffs, head coach Peter Nowak dismantled one of the league's most solid teams. After trading away fan favourite Sebastian Le Toux less than a year after the Frenchman registered 11 goals and nine assists, Nowak traded Danny Mwanga, the team's first overall draft pick in 2010, to the Portland Timbers for peanuts. After being fired following a 2-7-2 start, Nowak sued the Union, claiming his contract had been breached. The Union fired back by saying Nowak was removed for alleged hazing incidents and insubordination, one of the worst MLS front office incidents in recent memory.